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Monday, April 13, 2020

Tornado Kills 3, Injuries Many, Causes Much Destruction, April 13, 1920

From the front page of the Monroe Journal, Tuesday, April 13, 1920

Tornado Leaves 3 Dead in its Wake; Damage Was Great. . . Mr. Polk and Two Williams Boys Lost Their Lives Last Night. . . Mrs. Presson Seriously Hurt, Carried to Hospital Today, Her Recovery Is Doubtful. . . Several Homes a Total Loss. . . Homes and Barns Destroyed; Much Fine Timber Blown Down

Three persons are dead, one woman is seriously, perhaps fatally, injured, a number of homes and barns are a total wreck, and thousands of feet of fine timber were destroyed as a result of a cyclone which swept parts of Monroe, Goose Creek and New Salem townships about 9 o’clock last night.

The dead are:

Robert L. Polk, aged about 30 years; Aubrey Williams, aged 5, and his brother, Hilton Williams, aged 6. They are sons of Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Williams, who live a few moles north of Unionville.

Mrs. Sam Presson, who was badly injured, is in serious condition, and is not expected to live. She was carried to a Charlotte hospital. Mrs. Presson was injured about the neck, waist and kidneys.

Among those injured are: R.W. Byrd, his son, Roy Byrd; and Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Griffin, all of whom live in Goose Creek township. Others were probably injured, but their names could not be learned today.

The cyclone was reported to have started about Bakers. It swept through the southern part of Goose Creek township, missing Unionville by about a mile and a half, through the edge of New Salem, on to Rocky River. Some damage is reported from the Rocky River vicinity.

Both the school and church at Ebenezer are said to have been destroyed, although it could not be ascertained to be a fact.

First Struck Polk’s Home

From what could be learned today, the home of Mr. Robert L. Polk, which is  on the Secrest short cut road, about six and a half miles from Monroe, was the first to be destroyed. The house was picked up from its foundations and carried for a distance of about 25 feet. The dead body of Mr. Polk was extricated from the timbers by neighbors shortly after the destruction of his home. The body was badly bruised, but not mutilated. In some miraculous manner, the wife of Mr. Polk and his three children escaped. The deceased was about 30 years of age. Funeral services over his remains were conducted this afternoon at the old Waxhaw Baptist church.

The next home destroyed by the on-rushing tornado was that of Mr. R.W. Byrd, who lives on the Concord road, a short distance from the point where the road forks to Unionville. His home, barn and outbuildings were totally wrecked; and Mr. Byrd and his young son, Roy Byrd, were both injured. The former was cut and bruised about the head and face, while the latter was cut on the leg. Mrs. Byrd and several children escaped injury.

When the house was picked up by the force of the wind, Roy Byrd was thrown into the well, the curbing of which had been torn away. Fortunately, he caught a timber before falling to the bottom. He was rescued by neighbors, who arrived on the scene a short while afterwards. Mr. Byrd was knocked unconscious by the falling timbers. A number of chickens were killed, but his pigs, horses and cows were not hurt.

The next home destroyed by the tornado was that of Mr. Sam Presson, who lives only a short distance from the home of Mr. Byrd. In addition to the loss of his home, Mr. Presson suffered the loss of a good barn, a mule, wagon, and other farming implements. Mrs. Presson was seriously injured, and is not expected to live. A child was unearthed from a mass of timbers uninjured. Mr. Presson’s loss is about $2,500.

Children Died Together

The most pathetic incident of the havoc was the death of the two little Williams boys, Aubrey and Hilton. They slept in the same bed, and the tornado, which simply tore up their father’s home, threw heavy timbers across their little bodies. Their stomachs were crushed in and it is thought they died instantly. Six men were required to lift the timbers from their bodies.

The two lads had attended the funeral of an infant cousin the afternoon before they met their death. They were handsome, likable young chaps, and the community is mourning their untimely death.
Mr. Williams’ store, which he conducted from the yard of his home, was lifted from its pillars and carried for a distance of several feet. Nothing in the store, however, was broken or destroyed.

Severe losses were also suffered by Mr. J.H. Griffin, who lives in the same community with Messrs. Byrd and Presson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Griffin were badly hurt; their home destroyed, and barns and outbuildings totally demolished. His loss is around $2,000.

Mr. Arthur Pusser lost his barn, a mule and some timber. Mr. Carl Griffin lost a tenant house,and from 50,000 to 70,000 feet of extra good timber.

The home of Mr. Marcus Little, who is a bachelor, was destroyed. His barns and outhouses suffered likewise from the force of the tornado.

Mr. Caldwell Love’s barn was blown down, but his stock escaped injury. The hay in the loft fell upon a mule, almost completely covering him. The mule’s neighs and grunts attracted Mr. Love, who released him.

Rev. J.S. Simpson and Mr. H.C. Simpson had about 100,000 feet of fine timber blown down. Mr. David A. Simpson lost about 5,000 feet.

An unconfirmed report was received at Monroe this morning stating that several people were killed in Stanly county, across Rocky River. It is believed, however, that the report is erroneous.

Mr. R.W. Byrd was the only sufferer, so far as is known, who carried tornado insurance. His loss is about $2,000, with about one-fourth that amount of insurance.

Several families lost most all they had, but their neighbors are assisting them in rebuilding.

Carriker school house and Mr. Mendenhall Helms’ barn, it was reported in Monroe, were destroyed.

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